South and West Counties Championship Competition
U16 Group B
Gwent 0 Wiltshire 4
Played at Newport YMCA on Sunday 27 March 2011
Wiltshire hit second spot in the table with this 4-0 win over Gwent and now need to beat Gloucestershire by two clear goals to overtake Somerset and win the group.
Wiltshire took the lead after only four minutes when Melksham Town’s Charlie Austin pounced onto a loose ball to find the back of the Gwent net.
Wiltshire then created two chances to score but both Jake Johns (Ferndale Rodbourne) and Liam Gallagher (Highworth Town) were just off target when well placed.
Midway through the first half the Wiltshire goalkeeper Ben Mannings (FC Chippenham) suffered a head injury whilst diving for the ball and had to go to hospital. Josh May (Corsham Town) took over between the sticks until halftime and was then replaced by midfielder Jake Cooper (Melksham Town). Cooper was immediately bought into action making good saves from Gwent’s Jo Richardson (Newport County) and Arron Vaughan (Rassau Rangers).
On 71 minutes Wiltshire went 2-0 up when Rory Warrington (Calne Town) with his back to the goal turned and in one movement fires a rocket of a shot into the roof of the Gwent net. This followed a Wiltshire breakaway involving strong of passing movements from their own penalty area up through the field and finishing with an inch perfect cross to Warrington.
On 75 minutes Wiltshire were awarded a penalty following a foul and Adam Flint (FC Chippenham) did the honours from the pot to make it 3-0.
In the 79th minute Wiltshire’s Tyler Brockway (Amesbury Town), got on the end of an Austin corner to complete the 4-0 score.
The referee Alex Hardman from Lydney Gloucestershire had an outstanding match.
South and West Counties Championship Competition
U16 Group B
Wiltshire 1 Somerset 1
Played at Swindon Supermarine on Sunday 20 March 2011
Somerset lost their 100% record following this 1-1 draw with Wiltshire but still remain unbeaten in pole position in the group and, surprisingly, Wiltshire are the only side that can catch them if they win their two remaining matches and create a better goal difference.
Five minutes into the second half Somerset took the lead through Charlie Cook (Wells City) after some defensive uncertainty in the Wiltshire rearguard.
Wiltshire equalised on 70 minutes when a ball by Jake Johns (Ferndale Rodbourne) reaches Liam Gallagher (Highworth Town) who squeezed the loose ball past the Somerset goalkeeper Chris Burr (Portishead Junior Youth / N Somerset Dev).
Both sides created chances during the match but with a breeze blowing and a hard pitch, shots were not on target.
South and West Counties Championship Competition
Bluefin U16 Cup Semi Final
Devon 3 Wiltshire 2
Played at Coach Road, Newton Abbot on Sunday 6 March 2011
Devon who were 3-0 up in the semi final after only nine minutes held on to win 3-2 following sustained Wiltshire pressure.
In the early second Wiltshire were immediately on the attack and it took a decisive header by Plymouth Kolts Jack Kelly to clear a dangerous cross from Wiltshire’s Sam Walker (Melksham Town) that was about to meet the head of the well placed Zac Preston (FC Chippenham). Following this header Devon broke away and Tiverton Town’s Dan Hathaway scored at the other end by side footing past the Wiltshire goalkeeper Daniel Gallagher (Ramsbury).
One minute later the Devon goalkeeper Dan Law (Tiverton Town) was brought into action to save a shot from Wiltshire’s Josh May (Corsham Town) who came running in from the left.
On four minutes Devon were 2-0 up when Tiverton Town’s Richard Edworthy scored with a volley but, back came Wiltshire and the Devon keeper Law had to make saves from both Walker and Preston.
On nine minutes Edworthy netted his second with a low shot to put Devon 3-0 up.
The rest of the half it was all Wiltshire and it was not surprising when they pulled a goal back after 21 minutes. This followed a free kick by Jake Johns (Ferndale Rodbourne) that was met with a pin point header by Will Stead (Melksham Town) and all keeper Law could do was to finger tip the ball into the top corner of the net.
Three minutes later Wiltshire could have added to their score but a header from a good position by Tyler Brockway (Amesbury Junior) went agonisingly the wrong side of the far post. This was followed with two more chances firstly a Johns free kick around the Devon wall was saved by keeper Law and secondly Stead shot over.
Following the halfway break Stead scored his and Wiltshire’s second on 41 minutes with a low shot. Wiltshire then pushed for the equaliser and on 48 minutes Liam Gallagher (Highworth Junior) had a shot go fractionally wide and Charlie Austin (Melksham Town) was denied by keeper Law.
On 64 minutes Wiltshire’s Austin lobbed a chance over the bar and May went close.
At the other end the Wiltshire keeper Gallaghan saved efforts from the Plymouth Kolts pair Andy Parker and Sam Hillson and the joyful Devon players held on for the 3-2 win and will now host the final against Oxfordshire on April 17th.